Efficiency in animal nutrition does not depend solely on diet formulation, but also on the digestive system’s ability to break down, transform, and effectively utilize its components. In this context, microencapsulated probiotics are gaining relevance as a functional strategy to improve feed utilization under different gastrointestinal conditions.
This was the focus of the article published in Feed & Additive Magazine by Juan Esteban Vázquez, Fermentation Coordinator at Bialtec, which analyzed the effects of a microencapsulated probiotic premix on the degradation of forage- and grain-based substrates through in vitro simulations.
What did this analysis evaluate?
The study brought together results from different trials designed to simulate gastrointestinal conditions representative of various animal species. The objective was to evaluate how different feed substrates responded when supplemented with a blend of microencapsulated probiotics.
The variables analyzed included:
- Dry matter degradation
- pH
- Short-chain fatty acid concentration
This approach made it possible to observe not only changes in degradability, but also effects on fermentative dynamics and the behavior of the simulated digestive system.
What happened in forage substrates?
One of the clearest findings was that supplementation with the microencapsulated probiotic premix improved dry matter degradation in forage substrates.
In addition to this increase, a decrease in pH and changes in the fermentative profile were observed, especially in the acetate-to-propionate ratio. These results suggest more efficient fermentation and better substrate utilization, without drastically altering the overall balance of the system.
Beyond the specific data point, this result indicates that probiotic supplementation may support more efficient digestive processes, especially in matrices where fermentation plays a central role.
What happened with grain-based substrates?
In grain-based substrates, the response was more variable. Although the overall effect was not as marked as in forage substrates, the analysis showed different behaviors depending on the species and the simulated gastrointestinal conditions.
In some cases, positive trends in degradability and a consistent decrease in the acetate:propionate ratio were observed, which may be associated with improved energy efficiency in the fermentative process.
This suggests that the effect of microencapsulated probiotics on this type of substrate is not uniform, but it does open a relevant line of work for further exploring their potential in different production contexts.
Why are these results relevant for animal nutrition?
Feed degradation is a key variable because it directly influences nutrient availability, digestive efficiency, and productive performance. When a nutritional strategy improves this process, it can also contribute to more efficient use of resources and to a better biological response in the animal.
In this context, microencapsulation provides an important advantage: it protects microorganisms and supports their functionality, increasing the probability that they reach the site where they need to act while still active.
That is why the value of this technology lies not only in incorporating beneficial microorganisms, but in ensuring that they are able to perform their function under challenging conditions within the digestive system.
A functional strategy with technical potential
The results presented by Juan Esteban Vázquez show that, under simulated gastrointestinal conditions, supplementation with microencapsulated probiotics may particularly enhance the degradation of forage substrates and generate promising responses in grain-based substrates.
Although further studies are still needed, especially in vivo, this evidence reinforces the potential of probiotic-based functional additives as tools to improve feed efficiency and support more sustainable animal nutrition.
At Bialtec, this type of analysis is part of a broader vision: to develop biotechnological solutions that not only respond to a technical principle, but also demonstrate their value when evaluated under conditions that resemble the real functioning of the animal system.
